Easter Joy

Something that never would have crossed my mind when when our kids were small
is that one day I'd be setting the table a day in advance in anticipation of coming together.
Not sure where time has gone, but I do remember how this longing began
and how in the weeks after the first one left for college
I'd go to set the table and my hand would automatically make that "five plate grab"
only to realize she was not coming.

One by one they took turns leaving and coming back . . .

eventually moving out and then coming back to visit . . . with additions.

If we'd all be together today, we'd be nineteen!

So it's my joy and blessing now to take the time on these special occasions,
even with some still missing, to arrange flowers, color eggs, fold napkins and

take time to fashion crudely made twig cross name tags . . .

Sunday afternoon, while dinner was in the oven,

the kids looked for Easter treats.
In my family, growing up and with our kids,
my mom and dad prepared baskets and hid them.
So this is how it's done here, for now.

They each found their bag hidden in the garden and then spread out 

on the patio to check out their loot!

I'm not a big candy girl myself, so I have fun looking for 

what I think I'd like more. 

Maybe some doll clothes,

a yo-yo

or a skipping rope?

Jade's thinking, "that's all good, but where's the candy?"

We found our seats around the table and everyone obliged me

for the photo before the food got passed from the buffet. 

Dessert and facetime with some "far aways" followed the ham dinner.

Learning how quickly things can change,

I had a sudden inclination to ask for a four generation photo,

Here we see where the brown eyes come from.

After dinner, with the weather so nice,
the kids were drawn outside again ...

a perfect way to finish off a family Easter.